Shoe-fastening device.



W. H. HARRIS.

SHOE PASTENING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 15, 1909.

960,545. Patented June 7, 1910.

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UNITE WILLIAM I-I. HARRIS, OF GLADSTONE, TERRITORY OF NEW MEXICO.

SHOE-FASTENING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June *7, 1910.

Application led March 15, 1909. Serial No. 483,432.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, W'ILLIAM I-I. HARRIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gladstone, county of Union, and Territory of New Mexico, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoe-Fastening Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in shoe fastenings and has for its object to provide a simple and inexpensive device of this character that will be efficient and reliable in use,

A. further object of my invention is to provide metallic link shoe fasteners to be used in combination with a shoe lacing, said fasteners to be depended on to form the main fastening means and the shoe lacing to act as a means for locking the links in closed position.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

Vith these objects in view my invention consists in such a novel construction and arrangement of parts all as will be hereinafter fully set forth and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which,

Figure l is a perspective view of a shoe embodying my invention in its ,preferred form, Fig. 2 is a detail transverse section taken substantially on the line m-Qc of Fig. l, Figs. 3 and t are enlarged detail views showing the action of a link fastener.

Referring now to the drawings 1 indicates a shoe provided with an inner flap 2 and an outer flap 3 overlapping the inner flap as in an ordinary button shoe.

The shoe fastening means comprises two metallic links 4 each provided with eyes 5 at the ends thereof. The eye 5 at one end of each link is sewed or otherwise connected to the flap 2 adjacent the edge thereof as clearly shown in Figs. l and 2. The eyes at the other end of said links are adapted to slide in a groove 8 formed in the edge of the flap 3 to be described hereinafter,

A series of loops 6 are formed in the flaps 2 and 3 on their inner and outer surfaces respectively by slitting one layer of leather in each flap. These loops are arranged alternately so that the lacing 7 may be readily drawn through them. The lacing 7 is sewed or otherwise secured at the point 8 on the inner flap 2 and is then drawn through the loops in the inner and outer flaps alternately to the clasp 9, the latter forming a secure means for holding the end of the lacing. The lacing 7 is tied to each link 4 in order that the same maylbe moved into the dotted line position as shown in Fig. l, thus causing the shoe to fit tightly about the instep, t-he links serving the same function as a loop in the outer liap. The movement of the links in drawing the outer flap over the inner flap is indicated by dotted lines 9 in Fig. 2, and when in the closed position as shown the links resist all stresses tending to unfasten the shoe, the lacing acting to hold the outer flap in closed position.

The groove 8" is formed in the edge of the outer flap 3 by folding the edge of the lower' layer of said flap under the upper layer thereof and securing the same by stitching and a slit 8 in the under layer provided to make clearance for the movement of the links 4.

While I have shown what I deem to be the preferred form of my invention, I do not. wish to be limited thereto, as there might be slight modifications thereof which would be comprehended within the scope of my invention as defined by the appended claims. And while I have described my invention as applied to shoes, it is also designed to be applied to boots.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, a shoe provided with two flaps having a pair of obliquely disposed links connected with each flap adjacent the edges thereof, a series of alternately arranged loops in said flaps, a lacing tied to said links adapted to be drawn through said loops, whereby said links are forced through the transverse position and means for securingsaid lacing, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the class described, a shoe having two obliquely disposed links pivoted on the inner flap thereof and slidably mounted adjacent the edge of the outer Hap, a senaine to this specification in the presence of ies ofdlloops alrnacely alilrangfed orll said two subscribing witnesses.

aps a jacent t e e ges t ereo a" Vating drawn through saidloops and secured to VYILLIAM H HARRIS.' 5 said links and means for securing said lacl/Vitnesses: ing, substantially as described. JOSHUA R. H. Poms,

In testimony whereof I have signed 1ny5 i' HELEN F. LILLIS. 

